Arsonist Faces 11 Years in Prison

Last updated 9/4/2015 at 4:12pm

Man accused of setting five roadside fires could face a sentence of up to 11 years in prison. Jonathan Benjamin Cohen, 44, is accused of setting five fires on the East County Forest on Oct. 24 of last year, and April 19, June 15, 20, and 23 of this year.

Cohen was arrested in July, and after testimonies at El Cajon courthouse, Judge John Thompson ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed to trial, which was set for Sept. 17.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the other seven fires that Cohen is also accused of igniting. If found guilty, he will face additional charges. The five fires he was accused of were small and did not cause any damage.